On Music

Music: What are we missing?


Because I am quite an audiophile, I decided to have a special spot for music here on my journal. The post below is a rehash which I updated from my Overture account. I think it's a very appropriate introduction for the topic. For those waiting for day 2 of my travel journal, don't worry. It will be updated very soon. J

Due to lack of anything truly productive to accomplish, I preoccupied myself by going online to watch a lot of old music videos and read about artists that I practically grew up listening to. After some thought, it occurred to me that I am in fact a witness to the music industry's disintegration since the propagation of free music sharing via mp3 in the late '90s.

If you think that's sad, I feel a lot worse about this because I know I contributed to its demise by downloading my favorite music. Yes, I would rarely buy EPs and albums. And I would be a liar if I said I no longer do that, because I still do. But, it's just like what Bob Dylan said, "you better swim now, or you'll sink like a stone/ coz the times they are a-changin'...". Free music available on the internet is something we (musicians and listeners) have to accept, however painstaking.

image from http://www.gradontripp.com

image from http://anni90.tumblr.com/post/296887029/jeff-buckley

The truth is, most record companies almost no longer give breaks to musicians with real talent and potential because they don't want to risk losing money on anyone. They would rather spend it on "sure hit musicians", which leaves us all with little variety to listen to these days. But, my saying this doesn't mean I don't listen to pop music. My point is, more of these other artists should be heard. Great music can be heard in the internet, all we have to do is know how to use this medium to find it. As listeners, it is our role to know more. It's not enough that we just take in what's laid down before us.

For struggling musicians, I imagine some of them could be earning more revenue from gigs and concerts than in actual record sales. I remember when Trent Reznor left his record label and boldly stepped out to distribute music directly to fans. You can read more about his opinion on free music here. I also remember a friend of mine once said, "Music, in the purest sense, should be free", and I honestly still believe in it. But, if making it free would mean real music will not be heard, then we have to find other ways to help the industry.

Here in the Philippines, I could still remember the days when local mainstream radio stations played good music back in the '90s. Playlists included music from Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Jeff Buckley, Morrissey, Jars of Clay, Moby, Filter, Blind Melon, Collective Soul, Barenaked Ladies, and it went on and on (along with some Spice Girls and Backstreet Boys, of course). Though they played selected hits from the said artists, radio stations were able to introduce good artists to listeners while still playing bubble gum pop. Back then, they were able to maintain balance to cater to every listener's taste, which I don't see happening much these days (save for a select few). There are stations that mostly play old music, but they don't really introduce us to good new music, except for this one (and I hope more people would go and follow).

image from pep.ph

image from ianodon.blogspot.com

After this realization that the music industry is really in bad shape, I've decided to make a list of albums I must buy. I'm not really buying them out of guilt, I'm doing so because: 1) I want to support these artists 2) I want MY own copy of their albums because their music has become part of my life 3) in the purest sense, I genuinely love music.

I will update my list soon. For now, I have listed below my top must have albums (in no particular order):

Radiohead - any, if not, all albums

R.E.M. - any, if not, all albums

Stereophonics - any, if not, all albums

The Cardigans - any, if not, all albums

Pete Yorn - musicforthemorningafter

Belle and Sebastian - any, if not, all albums

Stars - In Our Bedroom After the War

Vertical Horizon - Everythng You Want

The Smiths and Morrissey - any, if not, all albums

Jeff Buckley - any, if not, all albums

Oasis - Definitely Maybe, any, if not, all albums

Fra Lippo Lippi - Light and Shade, Crash of light album

The Cure - any, if not, all albums

Tool - Lateralus

A Perfect Circle - Mer De Noms

The Sundays - any, if not, all albums

Feist - any, if not, all albums

Death Cab for Cutie - any, if not, all albums

Gin Blossoms - any, if not, all albums

The Pixies

image from toolbandprojects.com

Since my trip to the U.S., I sought out some of the albums I've posted above. I even added more bands and artists to my list. To give you an idea, take a look at the photo below.

This officially starts my music collection

OPM artists/albums:

Eraserheads - Cutterpillow, any, if not, all albums

Johnoy Danao - Dapithapon

Cynthia Alexander - Ripping Yarns

Urbandub - Influence

My Imaginary Friends

Barbie's Cradle (I gave away my CD to an old friend, I want my own again)

If you know these albums/artists I've posted, then well and good. Let's hang out some time, we have a lot of "catching up" to do. If you don't, why not try listening to them some time? I promise you, you won't regret it.